Tag Archives: Technical

The Link Passing Transition Drill integrates the use of all possible passes within basketball while proving a scenario specific to practicing one of the more troublesome aspects of transition, the second or link pass.

The Link Passing Transition Drill starts with an offensive player (One) positioned under the basket at one end of the floor. This player starts with the basketball. This player will look to dribble down the floor and perform a specific type of basketball pass to one of the wing running offensive players (Three and Four).

Link Passing Transition Drill Diagram 1

The wing runners start at halfway at the “T” point. A defender also starts at this position and attempts to deny the pass to the player and ultimately prevent the scoring opportunity.

The wing players look to create leads and in so doing become possible passing targets for One (1).

If a wing player (Three or Four) receive the link pass the drill becomes live (2 v 2) and continues until either the offense scores, or the defence securers possession.

Points of Emphasis

A key focus of the Link Passing Transition Drill is to have players perfect a wide range of different passing techniques utilised in basketball.

An effective link pass pushes the ball from the defensive end of the floor into an attacking position. If the link pass is poor offensive players will catch the ball away from a position in which they are considered a threat by the defence. Ideally, the wing players (Three and Four) should be catching the ball at the three-point line or closer to the basketball hoop.

Variations

While in the above diagram the offensive player filling the role of the outlet initially starts in the middle of the floor, this starting position can vary. Once a player becomes competent in performing a range of passes, then look to start the player from the corners of the floor. This will varying the line of sight for players and make the challenge of passing to the opposite side of the floor more challenging.

While it is not ideal for players to pass across the splitline, practicing the passing angles will assist in players being able to perform this task more efficient and effectively.

Once the players have overcome the challenges and acquired the knowledge to play from various angles, the next variation focuses on adding an on-ball defender from the outlet. The defender marking One (1) will attempt to deny or pressure the link pass to the forward offensive targets.

As the competence of the players develop an additional player can be added to the drill that acts as the inbounder, again with an on-ball defender.

The last variation to the Link Passing Transition Drill is to provide two outlet targets. These players will simulate a regular inbounding situation during a game where two offensive players remain in the backcourt acting as possible targets on opposite side of the floor.

In all variations of the Link Passing Transition Drill different passes should be made mandatory of players.

The Link Passing Transition Drill if performed well will see better outcomes for a team in being able to move the ball quickly up the floor. At all times players should look to work at the highest speed to assist in the realistic development of the desired range of skills.

The 2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill focuses on player’s movements in the half court when there is dribble penetration inside the three-point line. The focus of the drill is in providing players with realistic and very specific overall tactical points about how to react to the movement of the ball. Players should be looking to react off the ball by moving into space and good receiver spots so they can make the most of any opportunities presented by player movement, offensively or defensively on the court. The 2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill moves players into where holes a likely to form within a standard offense, however, these can change depending on the formation being implemented by a team. The importance aspects of moving into space off the ball though are relevant to any offense. To make the drill more specific to a team’s needs simply vary the starting point of the ball around the perimeter for the best results that is individualised to a team’s offense.

The first phase of the 2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill looks at dribble penetration from the top of the keyway as depicted in Diagram 1 below. This can either be a dribble down the split line or to the strong side elbow.

2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill Diagram 1

The player dribbling the ball (One) should look to always finish with a jump stop in a shooting stance to still allow for the option of shooting in game situations.

The player off the ball (Two) has three options:

Lift and replace behind One (1) at the Point Position

Flash towards the baseline for a mid-range jump-shot

Fade into the corner for a three-point attempt

All three of these options, like all those presented within the 2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill should be drilled. The use of all variations will only serve to help players develop as a more rounded player, and provides opportunities for the technical development of aspects such as footwork in preparing for a quick release shot.

Phase 2 of the 2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill now looks to focus on the ball being dribbled baseline (Two) to the short corner from the wing. This is a common attacking scenario found in many offenses.

2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill Diagram 2

The player off the ball (One) will have four distinctive options:

Fill in behind and replace the dribbler on the three-point line

Move into the strong side elbow

Move to the weak side elbow

Move to the weak side elbow extended for the three-point shot

Variations will be common in regards to where the off the ball player (One) is desired to move. In some cases, it will be preferred for the player to move to the weak side elbow due to passing lanes and defensive rotations.

It is important to also be mindful of further variations to come when an additional offensive players (or two) is added to the scenario and where players will be drilled to move towards.

The third phase of the 2 Player Perimeter Receiver Sport Drill looks to now vary the attacking dribble lane to that of the elbow (Two). This simulates the common desired tactical movement of a dribbler coming over a screen.

2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill Diagram 3

In this situation there are three options

One (1) can fill and replace Two (2) on the wing for the possible three-point shooting opportunity

One (1) can move into the weak side elbow

One (1) can flare away from the dribbler looking to fill a weak side wing position for the three-point option

Catching a ball on the three-point line does not mean automatically that a player has to shoot a three-point attempt. What happens next after catching should be determined by the players own strengths and weaknesses around offensive production. For a player who has a strong three-point shot, the choice will be to catch and shoot. For another player the best offensive option might be to attack the basket. Coach to an individual’s strengths, not their weaknesses for the best success during games.

The fourth phase in the 2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill now looks at a player off the ball (One) now is being two passes away.

The scenario again starts with Two (2) driving towards the baseline finishing at the short corner.

2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill Diagram 4

One (1) will have three options:

Move to the weak side elbow

Fill to the Point Position at the top of the keyway

Sink into the weak side long corner

It is very important that when using the sink to the long corner that players do not move behind the line of the backboard. In this scenario, a player should be looking for the dribbler to help create the passing lane as moving into the long corner by the off ball player (One) this too much of a challenging shot.

The final phase in the 2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill is for Two to now dribble towards the strong side elbow.

2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill Diagram 5

There are four options to be explored for the off the ball offensive player (One):

Flash towards the double block

Flash towards the baseline for a mid-range jump shot

Sink into the long corner for the three-point attempt

Lift and fill the Point Position

All of the options presented here will help a player technically and tactically as they learn not only how what the options are off the ball, but also the way in which these movements are to be executed to lead to most favourable footwork and body position for a shot. The 2 Player Perimeter Receiver Spot Drill is a very solid drill and one that if was used more often would result in better outcomes for many teams from their perimeter players.

Passing to a Cutter in the half court is really one of the least focused on activities during training sessions. It is however, the most fundamental of techniques in generating and executing offense. Without the ability to pass to cutters every team’s offense would be slow, one dimensional and lack the ability to perform regularly. Most players develop the ability of passing to a cutter through trial and error and often rely more on their “gut feeling” rather than a sound understanding of when to push a pass and when to hold off instead.

There are a great deal of problems commonly seen when layers are passing to a cutter during games. Below are just five key areas to be aware of and to share with players so they can self-coach to a better performance on the court.

When Passing to a Cutter, understanding how an offense exploits the defence will provide a ball handler with some easy options that lead to good shots (Photo Source: Marianne O’Leary)

Poor Offensive Awareness

In the context of passing to a cutter, offensive awareness comes from understanding the team’s offense and knowing where the breakdowns are likely to happen for the opposition. If a player is not comfortable with a team’s strategy, plays or counters. Then they doom themselves to always being reactive, rather than proactive. This will see an offense become slower, not always find the right player, and ultimately hamper productivity. Players must understand where the space is within an offense so they can exploit this to the advantage of their teammates.

Not Engaging the on Ball Defender

Many players when they are looking for a passing to a cutter opportunity will shut off to what is happening directly in front of them with regards to their own defender. Players stop looking to engage their own defender and create a situation where five defenders are now playing against four offensive targets, instead of playing against the ball. How many times have you seen a player pick the ball up off a dribble and put the ball above their head looking for a passing target? This completely stifles an offense.

Players need to constantly engage their defensive match-up. When seeing a passing opportunity unfolding a quick fake (pass, shot or jab) can shift a defender, opening a bigger passing lane, but also still forcing this player to stick with their match-up instead of just falling into a help position.

Choose the Wrong Pass

The correct passing technique is as much a part of passing to a cutter as any other element. All variations of a pass have their place within an offense. Choosing the right one will help the passer in executing a good pass and the cutter in receiving this. A Bounce Pass for example when the cutter is under extreme pressure, moving at a high pace, will often make the challenge of securing the ball harder and increase the chances of a steal occurring. Alternatively, utilising a Push or Overhead pass may provide the best solution for putting the ball in front of the cutter.

Vision

Initially, good vision when passing to a cutter starts with the passer. Seeing space as the offense unfolds allows for good options to be seen and taken advantage of. This requires a player to be facing the basket with their head on a swivel looking for all the opportunities in time and sequence.

The receiver of a pass also must maintain vision or risk not seeing the ball during the initial stages of the passing opportunity. Very few players have the ability through quick reaction to catch a pass without early vision of the ball as it is being released, not as it is in flight.

Target Area

When cutting to the basket an offensive player must provide a target for their teammates. This can be completed by simply carrying the hands in the position the player would like the intended pass to be made to. Carrying hands allows for a quicker reaction and increases the margin of error if a poor pass occurs. Having hands at the ready makes everyone look better.

When looking at passing to a cutter the ball handler to should look to where the player is moving and not where they have been. Passing at the player is one of the most common misconceptions about where the target area is, from a passers point of view. Instead, a passer should look pass out in front of the cutter so as they reach the intended point of receiving the pass, the catch is made within an arm’s length away from the cutters body.

Passing to a cutter is a challenging activity. As players move up in age and ability games become faster, margins of error become smaller and passing opportunities present themselves for shorter periods of time within each phase of an offense. Helping players understand causes of some of the problems highlighted above will save much frustration later on the court.

The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill is a good activity for having players practice the fundamental skill of the defensive slide. Compact in layout, the drill looks to promote activity and repetition while using only a confined space. Perfect for those coaches working with multiple teams in very close proximity. The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill looks to work on the technique of a player’s defensive slide while also varying the angle and line of movement.

When performed at a low intensity the Individual Defensive Keyway Drill can be used as a warm-up activity. However, the activity can also be used as a way to work players on their conditioning. High repetitions and intensity helps make the mundane simplicity of the drill challenging and ongoing. If used sporadically as an activity the Individual Defensive Keyway Drill can be a sort and sharp refocusing tool on the technique of player’s defensive footwork, hand positioning and overall sliding ability.

The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill starts with Athletes start lined up along baseline.

Individual Defensive Keyway Drill Diagram 1

Players will enter the court at the short corner. Athletes face baseline and defensive slide across key way to double block. The athletes drop step and defensive slide to elbow.

After exiting the keyway athletes’ then closeout to the coach who is positioned at the short corner.

Athletes then mirror the ball and maintain spear hand principles, following which they rejoin the line.

Points of Emphasis

Players must maintain low and wide stance

All players must carry hands at all times when on the floor

Quick footwork at the change of direction

Players must sprint to the close-out

During close-out the player must not come out of a stance, but remain low and ready to shift body weight on change of direction of the ball handler

When closing out two hands contest the shot before collapsing into mirroring position

Variations:

Athletes can change form open to closed defensive stance.

Two lines can be used so players must navigate the keyway while traffic is within the confined space

The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill looks to promote quick and sharp footwork. Players who do not display these characteristics will soon, with some work be better prepared for the demands of defensive work.

Talent within any program is always a point of focus. Whether it is through recruiting the right pieces of the puzzle or developing those that talent within a program that already exist. No program can afford not to have talented athletes within their ranks and expect to have lasting success. Recruiting is seen by many people as the easy way out for programs with significant resources, they can just buy in the required skill sets missing. However, for those programs not rich in these resources then development is the only option. The irony is though, if a program is successful through implementing a policy of development, it will find that players, coaches, officials and administrators all gravitate to its door so they too can be part of the success.

Harnessing talent to create a pipeline through a program’s various facets is not an easy task. There are a number of different and very specific elements that need to all be put into place for the development cycle to take hold and then continue to enrich the players that move through its process.

In the beginning focus on the quality of the talent being developed within a program, not the quantity. Employing this philosophy will lead the program building and having lasting legacy of success (Photo Source: Dave Gillem)

Philosophy

Before anything else can be developed there must be a defining of the purpose of the program. This involves describing the desired outcomes and the strategies put in place to achieve these. Adding details to the technical, tactical, physiological, and psychological standards that are wanted within the program and bench marked for ongoing development is vital.

Involved in the description of the philosophy of a program will be interwoven planning around how the program is to be conducted, resources available and overall guidelines (budget, facilities, age groups, competitions, etc.) on how the program will operate.

Getting the philosophy around the purpose of a program and how talent is to be shaped and developed is very important right from the start. While not set in stone, things can always be changed, but the variation in philosophy is one of the reasons people often leave programs or the good progress stalls. This can cause conflict and end up pulling a program apart. Commitment to a philosophy while undertaking evolution, rather and revolution, is important vision to developing the right culture for an evergreen program.

Coaching

The most influential parts of developing talent is found within the cornerstone of coaching. Having knowledgeable coaches within a program allow every player to advance.

Another aspect of coaching will be to have the right number of coaches to meet the needs of a program. While most programs will if their honest, state they will never have enough coaches, usually they can get by as long as everyone is pulling in the same direction.

A point of confusion when discussing coaching is that the coaches all have to be of the highest level. This is not the case. While having experience is very important, it is not the exclusive quality that a program requires of its coaches to be successful. Other attributes associated with a programs collective coaching ranks include consistency in philosophy, commitment to the development theme and a willingness to commit time to the process. These attributes can be found in an individual, but can exist and still provide benefit when shared amongst the core group of coaches within a program. An inexperienced or apprentice coach should not be seen as a weakness within a program, but an opportunity to harness energy and intensity to help spur on the talent development. When partnered with a mentor, a junior coach can make significant gains because of their willingness to learn and adapt.

Facilities

A key point will be looking at the facilities currently available to a program. From this point, additional needs be identified and addressed. In some cases where there is a shortage of space for trainings there might a need for two teams to share a court, or for a team to have one training session inside and another outside so every team is able to train at least once a week indoors.

Not having access to good or facilities of standard is not the end to the development of talent. What is does mean is the coaches working within this system must be flexible and adaptive in finding ways around this problem. Changing training times to suit court availability, travelling to suitable venues, fundraising for equipment are all some of the strategies which may need to be employed.

Support Services

Gone are the times of sport being purely focused on the court. Now with advancements in sports sciences, medicine and psychology there are numerous support services which play a part in the development and maintenance of talent. To help develop talent there must be a rounded approach as stated earlier to not only sports specific skills such as technical and tactical, but also the development of the physiological and psychological aspects of the player.

Spreading the load across aspects and varying athlete contact across these services also help engage and keep players focused on achieving their goals more readily. Consistent messages delivered from multiple sources help authentic the importance of the development process to the talented individual.

A talent pipeline is not a given just because all the pieces fit together neatly. Time will still need to be given for players to develop and a program to take hold within the sporting community and the programs individual context. Developing talent requires not just success, but successive successes that when added together lead to a good culture for a program, and good habits for an athlete. Overnight success is never overnight, and many successful programs that we can all see around us have usually been developed through the lifelong commitment of various individuals. Individuals that came in early and left late for years and years…